Wednesday- I was supposed to get into Chicago at midnight but my flight was delayed about 3 hours. By the time I got in, my rental car company had closed up. There I was, stuck in the airport with my big azz bike box and all my stuff. I couldn't imagine getting all my crap in a cab and certainly not taking it on the rail. One of the Alaska Airlines ladies was suuuuper sweet and let me keep my bike in their security closet overnight. I didn't even hesitate leaving my bike at the airport with a stranger. I just wanted to sleep! I, ignorantly jumped on the L at about 3:45 AM and headed into the city. Have you ever been on public transportation in Chicago at this hour? Yeah me neither. I was falling asleep on and off during the ride and woke to find, to my horror, the man across the aisle giving me the " Chicago Welcome." Now, if you can't imagine what that might be, just think of something you really wouldn't want to see on public transportation

Thursday- I headed out to the lakefront trail for a run. What an architecturally beautiful city!!! Then I had to go back to the airport, pick up my car then my bike. Good news was, the bike was indeed still at the airport! The Airline lady brought the bike out for me, bless her heart and then saw me struggling to get it into my tiny rental car and proceeded to help. Realizing the box absolutely wouldn't fit, she went inside and got a rope and another guy and the both helped me rope the bad boy into the trunk/back seat of the car. Forkin' A++++++ customer service.

I drove back into the city. I brought my car to a parking garage, pulled my bike out and put it together. Jeeeeessssuuus what a task! It wasn't mechanically difficult, I just hadn't ever done it before. I just couldn't get things quite the way I was used to. I couldn't find the line I had made for my seat height, and the gears were just not shifting smoothly. Also I had zero idea what angle I had my bars at.

Anyway, now I had an assembled bike, which fit much better in the back of the car. I cleverly used the discarded bike box to lay over the top of my bike so that the Chicago gangsters weren't tempted to steal my dime store diamond. Go ahead, admit it, I can be clever when I want to be! Nothin' to see here but this cardboard box!

After all this nonsense it was time to meet BTers Tony and Monica for poutine!!!!!!!! OMG not only was this some amazing poutine but it was BYOB! And BYO we did!!! We poutine and B-ed so much that I nearly missed the architectural boat tour I had signed up for. Tony and Monica were gracious enough to run/escort me to the boat dock. Literally we had to run, mildly intoxicated with our bellies full of poutine. I made it JUST in time.

The tour was really lovely. I'll spare you all the nerd-architectural details but I love this city.

Friday-

I got up early and did a test ride on my Bike, just to confirm it was rideable but a little off. I packed everything up and was Wisconsin bound! On my way to the car I passed a young gentleman. "Good morning!" I said, enthusiastically. "F*CK. YOU!" he replied, with almost as much enthusiasm.

Welp, time to leave this town!

I got into Milwaukee and hit up Kopps immediately. It was one of the places that was recommended. Big azz burgers, oh my! Oh and custard!!! I then had to haul ballz down to packet pickup, then swim practice, then rack my bike. FINALLY I checked into my hotel. The hotel was SO, SO cool! It used to be the old Pabst brewery http://www.brewhousesuites.com/and it was beautiful. Switch met up with me and we accidently ordered the hugest plate of nachos I have ever seen in my life. People were literally coming to high five us and take pictures. I imagine we were an instagram sensation for a moment. We also had uhhh a few beers :)We had to call in for backup on those nachos so Monica met up with us a little later. It was so great getting to catch up with those ladies! At the very end of the evening I got to meet Chris as well, before I headed to bed. It was very cool getting to see everyone.

Now, I need to back up a little. This was my first real OLY distance tri. I had also never really trained for a triathlon so I wanted to give it a shot. I thought maybe I could love it as much as running. When I started it became quickly apparent that I could not love it the way I loved running. But maybe, just maybe I could have a passionate affair with it? Maybe we could use each other and then part ways. So I kept training. Nope. There was just no spark. By the end of it we were just staying together for the kids :) But you know what? I'm glad I did. I learned a lot. I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about time management and how to carve even more time out to make room for training. I learned how lucky I am to have the passion I do for running.

************

I would be a total a-hole if I didn't dedicate a portion of this RR to Yanti. Every week, she wrote me a training plan. Even more important she ignored my whining and ever so gently told me to STFU and HTFU and keep training. She never offered me an out but also never presented the training in such a way that seemed unmanageable. Thank you so much for not letting me quit.

Event warmup:

This was lame. Transition closed at 7:30 and my wave was at 9:18 (which got further delayed due to a late start) Additionally, they had huge water tanks but you had to have your own bottle which I didn't. I was SO thirsty (re:beers with switch the night before) I wandered around to see if maybe they had a cup or a bottle that I could use because my water bottle was in transition and that closed at 7:30. They informed me if I wanted one I had to buy it at one of the food trucks. Desparate, I walked over to the recycling bin and fount a discarded bottle sitting next to it. Yup. I am that girl. Ghetto bike, drinking from the trash can, cracked iphone case, "custom" money clip (for those of you that saw it :) ) Jesuuuus, I am surprised they let me leave Washington. Anyway, after I got a little hydrated I did some warming up. Some jogging then some strides. After that I just hung out. It was pretty lame actually. WAY too long to have to wait for a race to start.

Swim

32m 46s

1500 meters

02m 11s / 100 meters

Comments:

Welp. THis was a total shyte show. I felt really, really uncomfortable the entire time. Let me be honest, the only type of swimming I ACTUALLY like is the skinny dipping variety.

In fact, I remember talkin' to Spiglet a while back and he said something along the lines of, "The distance where swimming matters most is an OLY." And my response was, "remind me to NEVER do an OLY. Ever."

Anyway, now that you know how I REALLY feel. :)

I wouldn't say this was bad in a fitness or breathing sense. At the end of it I felt I could have kept swimming. My legs weren't tired and I wasn't out of breath. I did, however, zig-zag around the course like I was drunk (I wasn't I promise) I didn't have a hard time sighting or anything, I just had a hard time judging a good line to take. I dunno. I also kept stopping to adjust my goggles. They fogged up like mofo and then I could just never get them to fit correctly on my tiny head. Once I sort of got into a groove I was just bored. I tried to change my attitude, I really did but I was SO glad when this thing was over.

I'm an idiot and I really blew it with this swim.

What would you do differently?:

If I were to do another OLY:

-Do my endurance swims on a more regular basis.
-Swim more.

Transition 1

02m 36s

Comments:

I was supposed to practice transitions but I didn't listen. Considering that fact, I'd say I did quite well. :)

I don't wear socks or anything so literally it was just off with my wetsuit and on with the shoes/helmet/sunglasses.

What would you do differently?:

Practice transitions

Bike

1h 18m 41s

24.85 miles

19.04 mile/hr

Comments:

I was telling the girls, showing up to AGNats with a crappy roadie is like showing up to your first day of high school wearing Adidas with 4 stripes. I even overheard a woman exclaim, "Who in their right mind would ride THAT? I bet they didn't even qualify."

Even worse was that when I put her back together, it was my first time doing so and I think I messed a few things up. I was lucky the whole thing didn't break into a million pieces while I was riding. My seat was too low, my bars at a strange angle, my gears weren't shifting well and my breaks were a little wonky.

Considering all of the above, the ride wasn't too bad. I mean, I didn't hate it. The last 5 miles or so were a little rough due to my odd positioning. My hamstrings were screaming and my back was really getting stiff.

The good news/bad news? My swim was so bad and my bike was mediocre so no one in my AG seemed to have passed me. I even passed a fair share of ladies on their TT bikes.

What would you do differently?:

-More time in the saddle
-Practice putting my bike together

Transition 2

01m 31s

Comments:

This went pretty well I guess. I just took my shoes off, put on my running shoes (no socks) and took off. Easy as pie :)

Run

44m 48s

6.21 miles

07m 12s min/mile

Comments:

lol OK, so this was like 10 seconds slower than marathon pace.

I was passing people left and right and just didn't really have anyone to push me. It was starting to get warm and I was just ready to be done.

I was suuuuper dehydrated so I took water at every station. I attempted to put ice down my sports bra but it was bouncing around so I pulled half out and discarded and ate the rest right out of the bra. Klasssssy!!!

I didn't feel bad on this run or anything but clearly I am capable of better than this.

it gets a solid "MEH"

What would you do differently?:

I imagine the hangup on the run was just lack of experience in context of an OLY. I had plenty in the tank at the end.

Post race

Warm down:

Hauled bawls back to the hotel since it was past check-out time. Showered then flew back to the transition area to pick up my bike. Threw the bike into the trunk with the ol' cardboard security system and went to la perla to ride the mechanical chili pepper!!!!!

I met switch and Jen there and it was AMAZING!!!

Me: Is it alright if I take my beer on the mechanical chili pepper?
Waitress: (looks at me like it's the dumbest question in the world) Yes.

Oh yeah, I was drinking Miller High Life BTW. The champagne of beers!!!

Another big thank you to Switch for that chili pepper ride. I can't thank you enough ;)

After all was said and done I drove back to Chicago, disassembled my bike in the rental car lot, put it in a box, put the box on the shuttle and got my azz on a plane back to Seattle.

PHEW.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Lots of things, need I list them all?

Profile Album

Last updated: 2013-04-25 12:00 AM

Swimming

00:32:46
|
1500 meters |
02m 11s / 100meters

Age Group:

0/144

Overall:

0/

Performance:

Bad

Suit:

Course:

Way too long in my book

Start type:

Deep Water

Plus:

Waves

Water temp:

70F / 21C

Current:

Low

200M Perf.

Bad

Remainder:

Below average

Breathing:

Average

Drafting:

Bad

Waves:

Navigation:

Rounding:

T1

Time:

02:36

Performance:

Good

Cap removal:

Good

Helmet on/
Suit off:

Wetsuit stuck?

Run with bike:

Jump on bike:

Getting up to speed:

Biking

01:18:41
|
24.85 miles |
19.04 mile/hr

Age Group:

0/144

Overall:

0/

Performance:

Below average

Wind:

Some with gusts

Course:

It wasn't what I would call flat and fast, by any means. But it wasn't bad. Kind of rolling with a few notable climbs (in relation to the topography)

You are too klassy! An entire RR, and I just want to see mechanical pepper ride pics. And I wasn't disappointed, so thanks for that. OK, that's out of the way.

It looks like there will be very few Oly's in your future, huh? Or (barely hidden challenge) maybe you just need to do another and prove how much better you can do? I mean, look at all that didn't go your way and you still busted out a 2:40. Congratulations! And thanks for bringing us along on the journey.

First things first, that first picture of a Red Hot! Nice. In high school i used to work at a place called Irvings, for Red Hot Lovers. Needless to say anytime I wore my work shirt I got interesting comments. That picture brought back memories. I haven't seen a red hot since those lovely days!

Riding the el at 3:45am, didn't your mother ever tell you nothing good ever happens that late?! Oh, and I don't know about you, but I don't necessarily want to see that anyplace not just on the el

As far as the race goes, even with all the many (many) issues you still had a fast time; congrats! You should also look up that dis your bike woman and check her time. If you beat it, send her a nice message

You are too klassy! An entire RR, and I just want to see mechanical pepper ride pics. And I wasn't disappointed, so thanks for that. OK, that's out of the way.

It looks like there will be very few Oly's in your future, huh? Or (barely hidden challenge) maybe you just need to do another and prove how much better you can do? I mean, look at all that didn't go your way and you still busted out a 2:40. Congratulations! And thanks for bringing us along on the journey.

First things first, that first picture of a Red Hot! Nice. In high school i used to work at a place called Irvings, for Red Hot Lovers. Needless to say anytime I wore my work shirt I got interesting comments. That picture brought back memories. I haven't seen a red hot since those lovely days!

Riding the el at 3:45am, didn't your mother ever tell you nothing good ever happens that late?! Oh, and I don't know about you, but I don't necessarily want to see that anyplace not just on the el

As far as the race goes, even with all the many (many) issues you still had a fast time; congrats! You should also look up that dis your bike woman and check her time. If you beat it, send her a nice message

As always, your races are an adventure!

I am red hot for them sausages!

Dude that red hot was BOMB! I also got a fancy dog (duck sausage with foie gras and aioli sauce) but really, they were both equally good.

Wow, that was one of the most entertaining race reports I have ever read Adrienne. Talk about a full weekend, this wasn't exactly the local road race where you just wake up, throw on some clothes and do your normal butt kickin' now was it! Super job. I love the straight-forwardness of your race reports. And yeah, I'm bummed it wasn't able to make it up there, some friends of mine had a really nice time.

First things first, that first picture of a Red Hot! Nice. In high school i used to work at a place called Irvings, for Red Hot Lovers. Needless to say anytime I wore my work shirt I got interesting comments. That picture brought back memories. I haven't seen a red hot since those lovely days!

Riding the el at 3:45am, didn't your mother ever tell you nothing good ever happens that late?! Oh, and I don't know about you, but I don't necessarily want to see that anyplace not just on the el

As far as the race goes, even with all the many (many) issues you still had a fast time; congrats! You should also look up that dis your bike woman and check her time. If you beat it, send her a nice message

As always, your races are an adventure!

I am red hot for them sausages!

Dude that red hot was BOMB! I also got a fancy dog (duck sausage with foie gras and aioli sauce) but really, they were both equally good.

Oh, I've gotta ask. How do they get the relish so neon green?

I have no idea how they get the relish that green - it comes in a big ole jar that way.

Even by your own high standards, that sounds like a classic. And I'm just talking about the pre-race diet. I'm jealous that you somehow managed to find poutine in Illinois ... I was in Canuck-land, home of said delicacy, and failing to find it for my recovery snack. You just leave me in the dust.

Salty, what a great race report! Love your sense of humor, view on life, and how you embrace life, too. Sounds like you had plenty of fun with the manatees and made lots of great memories and stories to be told over the years to come. Oh, and had a pretty bangin' race for someone who doesn't really do tris. I'll take that race/pace any day! Congrats!!!

Originally posted by colinphillips Even by your own high standards, that sounds like a classic. And I'm just talking about the pre-race diet. I'm jealous that you somehow managed to find poutine in Illinois ... I was in Canuck-land, home of said delicacy, and failing to find it for my recovery snack. You just leave me in the dust. Enjoy the return to unadulterated running.

Nice job maneuvering through the weekend. Glad you got to experience that. Sounds like it's one of those, "glad I'll never have to do that again" experiences. Your description and warm greetings from the Chicagoans kinda makes me nervous for my marathon in October. Maybe you should come chaperone me?

Very cool about the hotel in an old brewery. Great race and fun extra-curricular activities!

Nice job maneuvering through the weekend. Glad you got to experience that. Sounds like it's one of those, "glad I'll never have to do that again" experiences. Your description and warm greetings from the Chicagoans kinda makes me nervous for my marathon in October. Maybe you should come chaperone me?

Very cool about the hotel in an old brewery. Great race and fun extra-curricular activities!

Congratulations!!

Awwww Lynn!!! I'll come hold you hand in Chicago! I'll even take you to get a hot dog